MADISON – Madison will kick off its 2019 Christmas season Sunday, Dec. 1 with a special event. The 6th annual Madison Station Polar Express Christmas on Main will include a tree lighting ceremony and the annual Children’s Lantern Parade.

Decorated trees are beginning to line Main Street in downtown Madison for the 2019 Christmas tree decorating contest. Businesses, groups, organizations and individuals enter the contest, which adds holiday charm to the downtown area. They will be busy this week putting the final touches on their trees in anticipation of Sunday’s tree lighting ceremony.

The exhibit was started in 2013 and is sponsored by the City of Madison, the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society, the Madison Sesquicentennial Committee, the Madison Arts Council, the Madison Public Library and the Madison City Community Orchestra.

Participants are eligible for awards, including “Mayor’s Choice”, “Most Creative” and “Honorable Mention”. The awards will be presented at the Jan. 13, 2020 city council meeting at 6 p.m.

The official lighting of the trees will take place after the Children’s Lantern Parade, which will get underway at 4 p.m., Dec. 1.

It will start with a reading of The Polar Express by the staff of the Madison Public Library. Children will then line up at Old Black Bear on Main Street for the Lantern Parade. From there, the parade participants will head down to Main Street just past 16 Main in front of the shops.

Live holiday music will be provided by the Madison City Community Orchestra.

“What better way to kick off the ‘Christmas Magic in Downtown Madison’ than having children parade down the streets with their handmade lanterns and finish the evening with the lighting of beautifully and whimsically decorated Christmas trees?” organizer Debbie Overcash said.

Don’t miss the 6th Annual Madison Station Polar Express Christmas on Main

Sunday, December 1

Main Street, Madison Alabama

4:00     Children’s Lantern Parade presented by the Madison Arts Council

4:00      Reading of The Polar Express presented by Madison Public Library

4:30      Christmas music presented by the Madison City Community Orchestra

4:45      Official Polar Express Christmas Tree Trail Lighting

Presented by the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society and the City of Madison

Trees will be displayed along Main Street in beautiful, historic Downtown Madison from

Sunday, December 1 – Saturday, January 4, 2020.

Children will parade through Madison’s downtown holding home-made lanterns to help usher in the Christmas season.

How to Make Your Own Lantern

Step 1:  Use your glue stick to put glue all along the bottom of your cup.

Step 2: Firmly place your cup with the bottom covered in glue in the center of the doily.

Step 3: Place two piece of scotch tape directly across from each other along the rim of the cup. (This will prevent the cup from cracking when you punch a hole through it.)

Step 4: Create a plus sign with the glue stick on the doily.  Make sure you apply the glue generously.

Step 5: Fold up the paper on all four sides. Press the doily firmly against the cup.

Step 6: Use your glue stick to place a line of glue along the edge of the folded up doily. Fold the doily to wrap around the cup.  Continue to do this for all four sides.

Step 7: Use a decorative ribbon to wrap around the middle of the cup.

Step 8: Use a hole-punch on the two places on the cup with the two pieces of tape.  Use the stiff shimmery ribbon to create a handle with the two holes.